How to Plan a Frugal Spring Wedding

If you're planning on getting married, you're probably well aware that summer is the most popular season for weddings. It also tends to be the most expensive, because all of the services that go along with weddings are very much in demand. If you want a beautiful wedding but do not want to pay a premium for it, consider a spring wedding.

Spring is a gorgeous season. The weather may be a bit cooler than it is in the summer, but nature is in full bloom. An outdoor wedding is a viable option. Planning is much simpler during the spring, because you won't have to make arrangements as far in advance. And for the frugal bride, getting married in spring can save money. Here are some tips to help you save even more money on your spring wedding.

* Carefully consider your location. Churches are generally the most popular option, but reserving them often requires a hefty donation. If you're intent on getting married in a church, ask several churches how much you'll have to pay before deciding on one. If not, find somewhere else to tie the knot. A friend or family member with a nice piece of property might let you have your wedding there for free. Or you could reserve space in a park at a reasonable price.

* Think about having your wedding during the week. If you're going with a location that charges a fee, it will usually be less during the week than it is on the weekend.

* Look for someone on your guest list who loves to take pictures, and ask him or her to serve as your wedding photographer. Have the photos saved on a memory card, and have only the best ones printed.

* Make your own invitations and favors. You can design invitations on your computer, print them onto card stock, and use scrapbooking supplies to embellish them. Favors could be as simple as braided key chains in your wedding colors or candies wrapped in tulle and tied up with a ribbon.

* Forgo the full-service catering for the reception, and go with a buffet instead. Better yet, ask a friend or relative who loves to cook to put together your wedding feast. If your wedding is going to be casual, you could even make the reception dinner a potluck. Make your own cake, or ask someone who's good at baking and decorating them to make that your wedding gift.

* Instead of spending a fortune on champagne, make your own wine (or even beer) for the reception. Even if you've never tried your hand at it before, there are kits available with step-by-step instructions that make it easy to get it right. And your guests will feel honored that you took the time to make it for them.

A spring wedding is not only beautiful, it can be quite economical. It can also be much less stressful than a summer wedding. So before you get your mind set on getting married in midsummer, consider the benefits of tying the knot a few months earlier in the year.